Before the general election, Jeremy Hunt made a hint about yet another potential National Insurance cut.
The UK's record tax rates, according to the chancellor, are required to pay for the public's protection against pandemic costs and skyrocketing energy bills.
Mr. Hunt reaffirmed his desire to do away with National Insurance, a policy that Labour has criticized as being unfunded and pledged to cost £46 billion. He also asserted that taxes will increase should Labour win the election.
Labour's Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Tories could not be trusted on tax.
“If we can afford to go further, responsibly, to reduce the double tax on work this Autumn that is what I will do”, said Mr Hunt at an event in Westminster.
It remains unclear whether there will be an Autumn Statement before the next general election, which must be held by January 2025.
The backdrop to Mr Hunt’s highly political speech in Westminster read "Labour's Tax rises".
He claimed his opponents would have to put up taxes by £10bn a year by 2028-29 in order to meet its spending commitments. The BBC has not yet looked into the details of this claim.
Defending the fact the UK has the highest tax levels in 70 years, and that tax levels have increased under his stewardship, Mr Hunt said rises had been "necessary" due to “two global shocks in quick succession”.
Mr Hunt also criticised the Labour Party for trying to “scare pensioners” by “misrepresenting” his pledge to work towards abolishing National Insurance Contributions.
The Labour Party has previously claimed that the pledge to abolish National Insurance is a “£46bn unfunded tax plan”, which poses a “threat to the state pension”.
“It is a lie, it is fake news and it is an absolute disgrace to try to win this election by scaring pensioners”, said Mr Hunt.
Labour have also argued that the pledge to abolish National Insurance would cost £46bn and would have to be paid for by raising income tax. Pensioners do not pay National Insurance, but they do pay income tax.
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said it's "a bit rich" for Jeremy Hunt to suggest that taxes would go up under a Labour government.
Speaking to BBC Radio Essex ahead of the Chancellor's speech today in London, Ms Reeves said: "Taxes under the Tories now are at a 70-year high.
"And under their plans, they’re due to go up in each of the next 5 years, taking the tax burden for the average family in Essex and elsewhere up by £870.
"So it's under the Tories that taxes are going up - you can’t trust the Tories when it comes to mortgages, when it comes to taxes, and indeed when it comes to our public services."
A Labour spokesperson dismissed Mr Hunt's claims as "desperate".
“All of Labour’s policies are fully costed and fully funded," they said.
"Unlike the Conservatives who crashed the economy, Labour will never play fast and loose with the public finances.
“Jeremy Hunt would be better spent getting Rishi Sunak to confirm the date of the election, rather than putting out any more of these dodgy dossiers.”
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